Prophecy fulfilled
Day 470, Monday, Nov. 24
Luke Chapter 1
Having just read through the prophets makes it easy to see how much the first chapter of Luke is a continuation of the same style and themes of the Old Testament prophecies; the birth of Jesus concretely begins the fulfilment of the prophecies of the restoration of God’s kingdom on earth.
While the final act is still to come with the return of Christ at the end of the age, the glorious end has begun.
Maintaining the prophetic emphasis, Luke begins his account not with the Messiah, but with a prophet: John.
Zechariah, a priest serving in the temple, is told that he and his barren wife, Elizabeth, will be blessed with a son. Placing John’s birth in the context of temple worship and recalling the Old Testament stories of a miraculous birth to a barren older woman are not accidental; they help to place the eventual birth of Jesus firmly in the Jewish religious tradition and show the continuity of the salvation story.
In Zechariah’s song of praise beginning in verse 67 he both refers to the ancient prophets and calls his son, John, a “prophet of the Most High.”
His song begins with praise: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.”
This section also includes Mary’s song of praise we call the Magnificat.
He words sound similar to those of the prophets. “He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.”
Notice that the first four verses of Luke are a preface in which Luke suggests he was not an eyewitness to the events he writes about, but rather bases his book on careful research.
The preface, including its dedication to the otherwise unknown “Theophilus,” is similar to the preface in Acts, which was written by the same author and continues the account.
-Rev. Mark Fleming
Monday meditation
Psalms 32:1-11
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.
Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Prayer focus
Redeem us, O Lord. Redeem us from all that would imprison and afflict us.